The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-09
HARPER AND MISS HOLMES.
Letters Showing the Relations of the Two
Harper TO Go on the Stand To-Day


CINCINNATI, Dec. S-The Enquirer this mern-
ing prints fac-simile cipher letters which.it says
were furnished by Charles Hopkins. SON of as
sistant Benjamin E. Hopkins They purport 10
be letters sent by Harper to Miss Josie Holmes.
his former exchange clerk 1t is explained that
after the failure Harper professed the warmest
friendship for his assistant cashier, Hopkins,
and promised to do everything that could be
done to shield him. Young Hopkins CORE
spondingiy kind to Harper, and became his
messenger to carry letters to and from Miss
Holmes. While in this office he began to sus-
pect that Harper was arranging to shirk upon
Hopkins the responsibility of all transactions
with the grain-brokers, and young Hopkins, to
place Harper within his power, conceived the
bold design of concealing the letters and deliver
ing verbal messages only. This worked well
enough until Miss Holmes visited the jail. Har-
per was furious upon learning of the treachery
of his messenger, and has since been cold to-
ward Hopkins. The letters we're IN cipher
which was easily read. Harper also sent three
checks to Miss Holmes. which Hopkins sup
pressed and turned over to District Attorney
Burnet. They aggregated 100000, and it is
presumed they were intended to be placed so as
to cover up some of the crooked transactions of
his bank One, for $500, 000 was dated Feb 26;
the others, for 5000 600 each, were dated June 81
The letters of Harper to Miss Holmes are as
ardent as those of any lover could be. In the
first one he instructed her about what she should
say in her testimony. She answered, saying
she would be as evasive she could, but feared
she could not testify as he wanted her to. She
said he had made botch by sending Hopkins
to see her. and asked him why he did not
go when he had chance She asked him to
send her a lawyer to advise her how to testify.
To this Harper replied with mad protestations
of love for his bright angel" and upbraided
her for her GOODNESS. and especially for her cool
suggestion that he should have flown. 1t looked
to him as though she wanted to get rid of him.
He reminded her of his talk during their last
ride together; that he said the worst thing
would be their separation, and that she said that
would never be, and pressing kiss on his lips,
said she would go to prison with him, or. if that
could not be, would visit him daily. He begged
her to get well and come to him before she got
into the safe deposit box. otherwise all would be
spoiled He also urged her TO take more of
the drug and to decline to be interviewed. In
a note to Harper Miss Holmes says: '.Your
wife has $4,000 have nothing now to do but
die. with your family disgracing me as they
have done in the past two days"
Mr.. T.. l.. Harper at the jail this
morning by a reporter and was asked what he
had to say about the publication of his letters to
then, with clenched teeth, said: You can say
that Charley Hopkins did not publish the other
letters that would have benefited me as much
as they would his father, and that he did not
publish anything about the $40 gave him for
her. Now will you excuse me!" And he fin
ished his toilet and Went upstairs, where his
wife and sister were in waiting to take him to
the courtroom. In the court room Harper gave
his usual polite attention to his wife. and showed
but little trace of trouble His wife. however,
sat like a statue, and as oblivious to her sur
roundings. There is no doubt of the authen-
ITCHY of the letters. and they place in a true
light the relations between the ex-banker and
his fair clerk s
The publication in to-day's Commercial Ca
zette of its special dispatch from Washington
about attempt to bride District Attorney
Burnet was headed, The defense make an I'M
successful attempt to. bride Mr.. Burnett" When
court con vened in the Harper case, District At
torney Burnet made personal statement, say
ing that he especially desired 1T to be understood
that there no ground whatever for involving
the counsel now representing the defense in any
such statement or insinuation.
Judge jackson thought it due to counsel for
the defense to say that, SO far as the Court
could judge their conduct had been all thatS
honorable gentlemen could demand
Judge Sage also said that he wished to correct
a statement in the publication which ascribed to
him previous knowledge of the attempted
bribery. He said he had information on the
subject whatever.
the publication of the cipher letters between
Harper and Miss Holmes. Mr.. Hayes finished
his testimony, and with it the government rested
its case.
The defense called Mr.. Eckert for the purpose
OF finishing its cross examination. After finish
ing the cross examination of Mr.. Eckert. the
defense cross examined Mr.. Hayes very briefly.
Then Judge Wilson asked the Court to give him
a little time to prepare for opening the case for
the defense, and court adjourned till to morrow
at 10 A. n. 1t is expected that Harper win be
placed the stand, and that no other witness
viii be called.